By Jim Nichols Birthday parties are activities that need no explanation. From days of our childhood, we have each been the honoree or participant in these events that feature presents, cakes, games, and general fun. Everybody seems to like birthday parties. As adults we still frequent these parties. Stepping back from the apparently universal fun of the childhood versions, however,

By Jim Nichols Approaching the time to change to a new calendar, there are expected events in the public scene. One is the onslaught of college football bowl games, of course; there are 43 scheduled so far, Google says. Another, more serious in my opinion, is the annual listing of public people who have died during the year. I find

By Jim Nichols Several years ago, I began writing an opinion piece on the Middle East, Israel, and Palestine. This was well before the current military, political, and religious catastrophe there. I worked hard gathering background information and history of the area. I had written most of the article before I realized that I did not know what I was

By Jim Nichols It is not a unique story. There were just too many people for everyone to sit at the same table for the holiday big meal. Someone had decided in an earlier year that there would be two tables—one for the adults, and one for the children. I was not consulted concerning this arrangement and I suspect no

By Jim Nichols Every episode started in the same way. The scene was a police squad room in the Hill Street Precinct. Assembled were the officers who apparently were preparing to leave for their shift. The sergeant was at the front of the room speaking to them and bringing them up to date on the most recent criminal activity in

By JIM NICHOLS The door looked directly into the room where the man lay in bed. He was very ill. He was dying and he understood that and did not seem afraid. This had been a long time coming. When asked what he was learning from God during this time of his life, he answered first, “When it is time,

By JIM NICHOLS I am not sure if it is accurate or even true, but it sounds reasonable to me and makes a point that is important. It takes just a little chemistry and biology to talk about it. Atoms are particles of matter that uniquely define a certain element. There are well over one hundred different elements; the four

By JIM NICHOLS It was a busy Saturday afternoon in a city square in Montevideo, Uruguay. I was with a friend among hundreds of other people. My friend is a person who moves easily between the U.S. and Uruguay and has spent much time both places. He said, “See those three young women over there? They are Americans.” I looked